I have a data story to write on employment and in my city unemployment for blacks is double the amount it is for whites.. I'm suppose to speak with employment agencies and speak with them about this issue. Do you guys have any suggestions of any statistical questions I could ask them regarding this? I'm kind of stuck
First of all, make sure you're clear on the unemployment numbers you want.
~ Do you want just the number that's reported weekly?
~Or do you want to dig a little deeper and include that number plus the number of people who have stopped looking for work?
~ ... or who have dropped off the unempl lists but are still looking for work?
~ ... or who are "underemployed" (those who are working one or two part-time jobs or who are working well below their education/training level)?
I'd gather nationwide unemployment numbers for the following groups of people before speaking to anyone:
for blacks (male and female)
for black males
for black females
for whites
for white males
for white females
for Latinos
for Latino males
for Latino females
etc.
I'd also look at stats for unemployment in various states:
overall unemployment in
~ California
~ North Dakota
~ Texas
~ Alaska
~ ...
If you want to break down individual states by the black/white/Latino/etc categories, that might be interesting, too.
Once you see those numbers, you shouldn't have any problem coming up with questions!!
well we're suppose to go with the numbers strictly in our county and within the last 5 years its been an estimate of 11.5% for whites and 24.2% for blacks.. so maybe I should as of that number gap?
Only nationwide? I guess that's OK, but it also helps to see what's happening state by state.
Certainly! When speaking with employment agencies about the disparity in unemployment rates between blacks and whites in your city, here are a few statistical questions you can ask to gather relevant information:
1. What is the overall unemployment rate in the city for blacks and whites?
- This question will help you establish a baseline and understand the magnitude of the disparity between the two groups.
2. Can you provide the historical trend of unemployment rates for blacks and whites in the city?
- This question will allow you to analyze whether the gap has been consistent over time or if it has changed.
3. Is the disparity in unemployment rates between blacks and whites observed across different educational levels?
- This question will help ensure that you are examining the impact of education on employment outcomes for both groups.
4. Are there specific industries or sectors where the unemployment rate for blacks is significantly higher compared to whites?
- This question can uncover potential factors contributing to the disparity and identify areas that require focused attention.
5. Are there any available demographic breakdowns within the black population (e.g., age groups, gender) that indicate differences in unemployment rates?
- This question will help you understand if there are specific subgroups within the black population that experience higher unemployment rates compared to others.
6. Are there any programs or initiatives in place aimed at reducing the aforementioned disparity? If so, what have been the outcomes so far?
- This question can help you assess the effectiveness of existing programs and understand if they have had an impact on lowering the unemployment rate for blacks.
7. Can you provide any data on the reasons cited by employers for hiring decisions, particularly when it comes to the disparities between blacks and whites?
- This question will help you examine whether there are any discriminatory practices or biases that contribute to the higher unemployment rate for blacks.
Remember to explain the goal of your research and the significance of these statistical questions to the employment agencies, as it will encourage them to provide comprehensive and relevant data.